MilitiaMan Monday Afternoon "Not a Coincidence " 11-7-2022

KTFA:

Samson:  Finance Minister: We intend to implement the electronic data system in the Customs Authority

7th November, 2022

Minister of Finance Taif Sami confirmed, on Monday, that the ministry is determined to implement the electronic customs data system (ASYCUDA) in the General Authority of Customs.

The ministry stated in a statement that Mawazine News received a copy of it, that "Sami held an extensive meeting regarding the follow-up to the implementation of the phases of the automation project for the customs and tax sectors, in the presence of the Director-General of the Information Technology Department in the ministry, in addition to the assistant directors-general of the customs and tax authorities."

The Minister of Finance said during the meeting, that "the completion of the automation project will contribute to the development of customs departments and improve their performance, through the adoption of a single window, modernization of collection systems and the provision of a solid database, which in turn will achieve effective management as well as achieving financial sustainability and diversifying the economy in accordance with the principles of integrity, transparency and anti-corruption." 

She added, "The ministry seeks to turn customs departments into important sources to support the state treasury after oil revenues." She indicated, "The ministry is determined to implement the electronic customs data system (ASYCUDA) in the General Customs Authority, as a result of the efforts of meetings and continuous meetings with representatives of the technical and procedural team, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in support of the project."   LINK

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Finance: We seek to turn customs departments into important sources to support the state treasury  LINK  

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MilitiaMan:  The timing of this is not a coincidence.

The 2023 budget will have loads of support from the new digital electronic  ASYCUDA tax collection system. The revenues will likely meet or beat the oil income. The support for the economy is going to be massive.

The transparency it will bring will all but eradicate corruption and graft. Notice they have shut down the investment side of things. The Commission Chief resigned? How timely is that..

The ASYCUDA is not just arriving on scene.. No, it has been a work in progress.. In other words, imo they are already up and running and working.

They'll seamlessly adjust to the new international exchange rate imo..  Going from a debt based budget, they are going to an investment supported budget in and with the private sector.

The money flow is going to be massive. The claw back of stolen monies will also be massive as noted by the crime of the century of 3.7 trillion dinars..

 I am surely liking the news we have before us. The investment side of the 2022 budget has yet to be exposed.. Why?

Take a good guess.. It likely has what we are looking for.. imo ~ MM

MilitiaMan Sunday Night "A Push to Get Things off the Ground" 11-6-2022

KTFA:

Samson:  Has the Ministry of Finance determined the price of a barrel of oil in the 2023 budget?

 06/11/2022 17:24:25

  An informed source revealed today, Sunday, the actual start of the Ministry of Finance to prepare a draft federal budget law for the year 2023.

The source stated {to Al-Furat News} that: "The Ministry of Finance has started the first steps, meetings and preparations for the ministries concerned with preparing the draft budget law."

The source added, "So far, the price of a barrel of oil that will be approved, or the initial budget figure, has not been determined."

A member of the Finance Committee, Jamal Cougar, revealed the features of the 2023 budget, stressing that it will approach from 130 to 150 billion dollars, at a fixed exchange rate based on the price of crude between 70 to 75, and that it will be a different investment budget to provide services, meaning that it will be a real budget. LINK

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 Parliamentary calls for the government regarding the budget: boost revenues and reduce expenditures

5th November, 2022

A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Nazim Al-Shibli, called on Saturday, the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani to expedite sending the draft budget law for the next year to the House of Representatives. 

Al-Shibli said in an interview with "Information", that "the budget for the year 2023 should be a budget for services in which it enhances revenues and reduces expenses."

He added that "there is a tendency by the Parliamentary Finance Committee to establish a special fund for each governorate aimed at activating basic services such as health, education, roads and bridges." 

Al-Shibli pointed out that "the budget should include plans to support strategic projects," noting that "the Financial Management Law stipulates that the budget must be submitted in mid-October."  He takes his mechanism in voting and approving.”  LINK

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MilitiaMan:  There is clearly a push to get things off the ground now not later. IMO the 2022 budget has to be sorted prior to the 2023. Just as 2003 - 2021 have been. 2022 is no different, except, it has the EFSL that isolated $80 - $150 Billion from the elite poloticians..

 Thus, that included the Kurds who are by the away apparently working through that now, as noted by the UN comments and the Kurds themselves.. The HCL is a focus and rightfully so..

The KURDS were not involved with the operational side of the EFSL. The are a part of the investment side.. 

To the fixed exchange rate based off oil suggests they are further along than some may think. They have numbers to work from now and it allow for the budget to be more as an investment budget.  It will be one that enhances revenues and reduces expenses.

 They know as well as many do , the private sector is going to alleviate the reliance on just oil. There are many avenues with a market economy to fill the gaps. 

The Financial Management Law shows us that the budget must be submitted by mid October... There was work that was on going during the time frame of the care taker government. They didn't quit work. imo..

Now we have a fully seated government. They can not only amend laws they can pass them as well, new or old.  I am looking for the exposure for the finality of the 2022, it is the foundation along with the audited budgets bas to 2003..

The reconciliation of 2022 has what the 2023 needs.. imo If there is data to support that this thinking is wrong please provide the data and links to support. I would like to see it..

Peace to you all this fine Sunday.. ~ MM

Some "International News" Posted by Samson at KTFA 11-5-2022

KTFA:

Samson:  Wide popular turnout for Baghdad International Fair

04/11/2022 22:27:50

The Ministry of Commerce announced today a wide popular turnout for the 46th Baghdad International Fair, which started its activities on the first of this November to see the exhibits of the companies' pavilions and the countries participating in the exhibition.

A ministry statement quoted the Director General of the General Company for Iraqi Exhibitions and Commercial Services as saying, "The Baghdad International Fair has witnessed, since its early days, the influx of Iraqi families from various regions to see the most important exhibits and the products of the companies and countries participating in the exhibition."

He explained that "Iraqi families found the Baghdad International Fair an outlet for them, by learning about the cultures of the countries participating in the exhibition and the events that take place during its days, as it is the largest cultural and social gathering that includes places to shop for Iraqi, Arab and international goods." He pointed out that "the company is in high coordination with the security authorities to create safe conditions for families roaming the corridors of the exhibition."

It is noteworthy that the Baghdad International Fair also witnessed the establishment of a number of cultural events and seminars within the pavilions of companies and participating countries, and the establishment of fireworks activities and a display of rare cars.  LINK

Samson:  Iraq and Russia are preparing to sign a cooperation agreement in the field of nuclear energy

5th November, 2022

The Economic Adviser of the Russian Embassy in Iraq, Ilya Lobov, announced on Saturday that Moscow and Baghdad are preparing the necessary steps to sign a memorandum on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.

"Preparations are underway to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two countries in the field of peaceful use of non-energy nuclear technologies," Lubov said in a statement to the Russian "RT" channel. He pointed out that the two sides are also studying cooperation in the field of education, including in the form of accepting Iraqi students to study in specialized Russian universities.

According to him, the Iraqi side shows traditional interest in Russian nuclear energy, and the two sides resumed the negotiation process to establish a partnership in this field, within the framework of the agreement signed in 1975 on cooperation in the use of atomic energy.

The adviser added: "Rosatom and the Iraqi Agency for the Control of Radioactive Materials are considering the possibility of implementing small projects in the field of low-energy research reactors. The two parties are also studying the possibility of cooperation in the use of nuclear technologies in non-energy fields, such as medicine, agriculture and water desalination. 

In early September 2022, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Moscow's readiness to supply Iraq with radioisotope products, and to assist Baghdad in the field of nuclear medicine.

Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the ministry, Alexander Kinchak, said that "the Russian side expressed its readiness to assist Iraqi partners in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the supply of radioisotope products, as well as training cadres in Russian universities specialized in related fields."

In this context, Kinshak indicated that Russia is also ready to "implement major joint projects," adding: "We proceed from the fact that a return to a practical view in this issue is possible with an increase in the volume of cooperation in this intensive scientific field, and also when updating and revising customer plans. related Iraqis.  LINK

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Samson:  Ankara and Moscow agree to send free Russian grain to African countries

4th November, 2022

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Friday his agreement with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Russian grain that is sent under an export agreement through the Black Sea to poor African countries should go free of charge

Erdogan explained, in a speech at the Musiad Expo organized by the Association of Independent Industrialists and Businessmen in Istanbul, that "Putin offered, in his last phone call with him, to send grain for free to needy countries, and he said, "Let's send these grains to countries such as Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan for free." And we agreed on that

Putin said this week that even if Russia withdrew from the deal again, it would replace the entire amount of grain intended for "the poorest countries" from its stockpile, free of charge

Last Saturday, Moscow expressed its readiness to provide 500,000 tons of grain for free to poor countries in the coming months, with the help of Turkey

The Turkish president indicated that he agreed with his Russian counterpart to discuss this issue extensively during the G20 summit, which will be held in Bali, Indonesia, on November 13-14 LINK

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Samson:  Iraqi oil exports to America decreased to 134 thousand barrels per day during the past week
5th November, 2022

On Saturday, the US Energy Information Administration announced that Iraq's oil exports to the United States of America decreased to 134,000 barrels per day during the past week

The administration said in a report that "the average US imports of crude oil during the past week from eight countries amounted to 5.465 million barrels per day, an increase of 108 thousand barrels per day from the previous week, which amounted to 5.357 million barrels per day

She added that "Iraq's oil exports to America amounted to an average of 134,000 barrels per day last week, lower than the week before, when oil exports to America reached an average of 220,000 barrels per day

She pointed out that "most of America's oil revenues during the past week came from Canada at a rate of 3.410 million barrels per day, followed by Mexico at a rate of 748,000 barrels per day, and oil revenues from Saudi Arabia at a rate of 533,000 barrels per day, and then Colombia at a rate of 218 thousand barrels per day

According to the administration, "the amount of US imports of crude oil from Brazil amounted to an average of 212,000 barrels per day, from Libya at a rate of 129 thousand barrels per day, and from Nigeria at an average of 81 thousand barrels per day, while it did not import any quantity from Ecuador and Russia  LINK

Samson:  How do Gulf countries use oil wealth to build bridges with countries in the region?

5th November, 2022

The Gulf's oil majors are using the newly acquired fortunes of the Ukraine war to build economic bridges with their poorer neighbours, some of whom the Gulf once viewed as adversaries.

Monarchies are now doubling down on economic cooperation. At the heart of this diplomatic initiative are sovereign wealth funds, which work to secure regional stability through billions of dollars in investments.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - both of which are reaping huge returns from higher oil prices this year - are at the forefront of these investments, establishing themselves in countries that have faced turmoil in some parts due to economic distress.

The International Monetary Fund said last week that energy exporters in the Middle East, including the Gulf states, are expected to see windfall gains of nearly $1 trillion over the next four years on the back of this year's oil boom.

Money has a huge impact, Michael Madewell, president of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute in Las Vegas, told CNN, adding that "sovereign wealth funds can be used as tools of foreign policy, as a kind of soft power."

After nearly a decade of conflict-ridden regional politics, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are moving toward a less confrontational approach. These two countries have repaired relations with regional rivals Turkey and Qatar, and both have reached out to Iran. They have also significantly reduced their military activity in Yemen, where they fought the war seven years ago.

Analysts say this is a new approach to ensuring regional stability, primarily by boosting major economies across the Middle East through investments that are closely linked to their financiers. “The current structure certainly evolved from the days when hard power was seen as more effective,” said Ayham Kamel, head of the Middle East and North Africa research team at Eurasia Group.

The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced last week that the Public Investment Fund is establishing five regional companies worth $24 billion across the Middle East.  From infrastructure and real estate development to communications and technology, the new investments of the Public Investment Fund are targeting Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, Jordan, Sudan and Egypt.

Some of these countries experienced political turmoil when the “Arab Spring” uprisings of 2011 rocked the region more than a decade ago. Other countries are still caught up in the economic and political chaos that has resulted. “This is part of the soft and sticky power aspect of a strategic and tactical departure from the decade of confrontation and conflict initiated by the Arab Spring,” said Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

 He told CNN that countries that "have projected their power in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - with the partial exception of Iran - have found themselves stressed and somewhat exhausted after a decade of confrontation."

The Public Investment Fund's announcement came on the second day of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. In a statement, the Public Investment Fund said that it is pursuing a "strategy to search for new investment opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa." He added that the investments are also aimed at "diversifying Saudi Arabia's revenue sources."

The past year has been generally good for state-owned investors around the world, according to the 2022 annual Global SWF Report, as the size of the sovereign wealth fund industry expanded by 6% in 2021 and for the first time in history crossed the $10 trillion mark.

Emirati wealth funds in particular are at the forefront of the industry. Global SWF said the Gulf state manages about $1.3 trillion through its four funds.

Egypt was one of the main regional investment destinations for both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. It witnessed nationwide protests in 2011, which led to the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak's rule. To the dismay of the Gulf states, the events that followed led to the brief emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political group viewed with suspicion in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and now considered a terrorist organization by both sides.

Unrest erupted in Egypt more than a decade ago in part because of the country's economic problems. Today, the Egyptian currency is depreciating again and inflation is rising as the authorities try to keep the economy afloat by securing loans from the International Monetary Fund.

In August, Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company (ADQ), one of the emirate's wealth funds, announced a number of investments in publicly listed companies in Egypt, "based on its long-term commitment to investing in the country's economic growth through its strategic joint investment platform." It's worth $20 billion."

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia also launched the Saudi Egyptian Investment Company (SEIC) in August, a company dedicated to investments in several vital sectors of the Egyptian economy. SEIC bought stakes worth $1.3 billion in four Egyptian companies.

The financial diplomatic hand of the Gulf states has already proven effective in some countries. Turkey was once a regional competitor, and is now an economic ally of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “Even with adversaries, Gulf countries now see their financial assets as potentially important levers in building bridges and stimulating more moderate policies in these countries,” Kamel said. "The rapprochement with Turkey has brought valuable investments or financial injections," he added.

In the face of a severe currency crisis at home, repairing relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates comes at an opportune time for Ankara.

Last year, the UAE established a $10 billion investment fund to "support the Turkish economy and enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries." This was followed by a number of other agreements between the UAE's ADQ and the Turkish Wealth Fund (TWF), with significant investments in venture capital and high-growth potential companies planned in Turkey.

In October, Saudi Trade Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi said his country's investments in Turkey now amount to $18 billion, according to the Saudi Gazette, adding that the Public Investment Fund is looking forward to more investment opportunities there.

Analysts say that despite improved political relations, Gulf investments in Iran and Syria are currently unlikely. But there are signs of a growing economic relationship with it. The Tehran Times reported that Iran and the UAE are targeting $30 billion in annual trade within the next two years from $20 billion this year. Earlier this year, Syrian TV reported that the UAE was weighing investments in the country, without providing details. But these kinds of economic partnerships may go a long way in helping to protect the Gulf states from future turmoil and conflicts with their neighbors.

Ibish says that “infrastructure integration” can help “reduce the risk of conflict by creating mutual interests and interdependence,” giving countries strong incentives to avoid confrontation.LINK

MilitiaMan Thoughts: "Exciting Times Ahead!" 11-5-2022

KTFA:

MilitiaMan:  The Iraqi president refuses to accept Al-Maliki as his deputy, and the Sudanese is keeping the security institutions away from the control of the militias

MilitiaMan: This is a welcome sight to behold I will bet by many an Iraqi. I am sure there could be some blow back from this but, with what we have seen in the outcome of the fresh new GOI with it's PMs cabinet seated suggests that the PM Sudani is playing the line that was drawn in the sand by Al-Sadr.

We wouldn't be in the place we are in now with out there having been agreements made.

The GOI has forward movement and an agenda likely with timelines to be complete and along side and in tandem with the CBI.

Any interference now will likely not be tolerated. We have seen significant arrests of late. That could continue on into the future. The new system will be a part of that, hence the latest intensity we see for the push against corruption. 

MilitiaMan Cont…….In the mean time lets see how the GOI and the CBI play their cards. The Kurds have agreements on the table too. They have an expectation of being a part of the second half of the 2022 Budget or EFSL designed to be outside of the Elite Politicians hands, yet for investment they are a part of that.

The amounts of money for investment are in the tune of $80 - $115 Billion.. Yep, with a capital B.

The Kurds didn't take part in the first half of the operational side of things in the EFSL, so with that amount of money being sliced and deals to possibly skirt constitutional rulings, is very interesting. 

 The UN, USA, etc, have been in those talks. The talk of no new contracts and present law suits being put to the side with respect to the Kurds makes me feel deals have been on the table for some time and are just now getting to the finer points if you will. The HCL is one of those finer points (Hydro carbon Law)

There needs to be clarity and some of the past may muddy the waters, hence no need for change with new VPs. The PM knows the score. I suspect the leader of the CF is now fully aware that times have changed..  

Lets see what the days bring. We know there is ample talk of the budget being done in days. To that I am of the view they are talking about the EFSL (Emergency Food Security Law)  prior to the 2023 being adjusted and completed.

The 2022 budget / EFSL wil have to play out the 2nd half prior top the 2023. We know they audited the 2003 - 2021. This time is different than in the prior few years. The 2019 FML saw to that.

The EFSL is different ball game..  IMO.. This all bodes very well for all.. imo ~ MM

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Planning announces the start of preparing the 2023 budget

Thursday 03 November 2022 

 The Ministry of Planning announced today, Thursday, that it will start preparing the 2023 budget, while it clarified about resolving its ceilings, and confirmed that it will work to reconcile the government's priorities and its ministerial program when writing it.

Deputy Minister of Planning Maher Hammad said, "The Ministry of Planning informed the Ministry of Finance that it will start preparing the budget for the next year," noting that "the 2022 budget that was prepared previously will be changed and amendments will be made to it for many considerations, including changing the situation and the government," noting that "we will work to make a consensus." With the government's priorities, program and ministerial curriculum in budget writing.

He added, "We are currently working in detail, as we communicate with the Ministry of Finance on the details that pertain to the common sides, whether as investment budget items or as loans," noting that "the budget ceilings have not been determined so far."

He continued, "The ceilings were set during the ministry's meeting with the Ministry of Oil, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, which shows the amount of production and export of oil and the expected price per barrel, and is reflected on the budget divisions and its needs," noting that "the Ministry of Finance needs greater efforts because it provides all operational amounts." In addition to the issue of appointments, contracts and the lack of salaries, in addition to many details such as electricity and gas provision for energy."

He stated, "This topic takes time in order to organize and arrange and take into account the heads of the main points or directions of the government," explaining that "the ideas of the Prime Minister are reflected in the government program and thus are reflected on us in the procedures."LINK

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MilitiaMan:  So the Ministry of Planning is preparing the 2023 budget and they note there is to be a resolution to budget ceilings and they confirm they're to reconcile government priorities.

Well the government needs to have reconciliation within their budgets from 2003 to present that are a part of those priorities. That would be from 2003 - 2021 and through the 2022 budget too!! They are likely to have 2022 specifically done by now or we  wouldn't be this close to having the 2023 budget ready to be completed. 

The main players tell us the 2022 budget was previously prepared and that it will be changed with amendments.

They told us that during the EFSL process to the best of my recollection to on the table to do. Sadr would not have resigned with out that bit with the EFSL being sorted in the agreements.

They say there will be many considerations, including changing the "situation and the government". Those two items are clearly CBI and GOI related... The "situational" aspect? Is imo likely to do with economic and monetary reforms, and the latter, it being the implementation of government policy, which is to set the former in motion (MR).

They need to have the data on dollar/dinar amounts to be reflected in the spreadsheets pricing grids. 

The ceilings set or yet to be set is hard to decipher, as they do say both above. Set and not set? lol I'll go with they were set, as they invoke the MOO,(Minister of Oil?)  the CBI and the MOF. They all would know if it is done by now.

They would know the monetary statistics necessary to reflect the amounts of production, price per barrel of oil and it's divisions and it needs, etc. The MOF (Minister of Finance) has to be accurate in the details.

They will adjust the figures in the budget to reflect exchange rate changes, fairly simple. If that is the case, many people will need to know the calculations to input from the 2022 reconciled budget to be placed into the data set for the 2023..

The expectation is that according to data will not be long from now.. Imo... I really like the data they are putting out to support this view.. A lot!!! ~ MM

Samson:  A completely new draft.. What is the relationship of the Russian-Ukrainian war to Iraq's budget for 2023? 

4th November, 2022

The economic expert, Salam Sumaisem, confirmed today, Friday, that the new government will prepare a new draft of the 2023 budget bill and will not depend on the previous government’s draft because of different visions, while noting that the consequences of the Ukrainian-Russian war will affect the price of a barrel of oil that will be estimated in the budget.
 

Sumaisem told (Baghdad Today) that "the new government will prepare itself the draft budget law, as the government program needs a budget that differs from the draft prepared by the previous government," explaining that "the Sudanese have goals that he will work to implement through some exchange gates in the budget, especially related to investment funds and social expenditures related to poverty and unemployment.

She explained, "The dates for sending the draft budget law by the government to Parliament are related to constitutional issues, especially since the 2023 budget is supposed to be ready before starting in 2023," while Salam believes that "the price of oil in the budget will be linked to many factors, the most important of which are the conditions of the Ukrainian-Russian war." Especially as we approach the winter season.  

She pointed out that "Iraq is used to setting the barrel's price significantly lower than its original price, and the financial surplus will be rounded for the next year, but we always do not know where these surplus funds go because there are no final accounts that reveal their fate."

She concluded by saying that "the 2023 budget is supposed to be different, especially in the development aspect, and not be different in the aspects of current spending, that is, the increase in expenditures and salaries only. The financial abundance should be a reason to increase development funds, until we notice an improvement in the file of food, health and social security reduce poverty and unemployment.

In previous statements, Finance Minister Taif Sami confirmed that "one of the most important priorities of the new government and the ministry is to present and approve the draft general federal budget for the year 2023." The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, directed that the draft financial budget law for the next year 2023 be sent as soon as possible.  LINK

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MilitiaMan:  As we talked about earlier. There are two sides of the 2022 budget. There is the operational side (social expenditures) and the investment side. They tell us the have to have the 2023 budget done before implementation. They go on to say that the budget is linked to many thing including not only oil, but the borders, LNG, minerals, tourism, etc. etc. They say there are no final accounts? I feel that is likely to be a past circumstance and not present any longer. We know the past has been audited and or being finalized noted by the 2022 budget being finalized. imo ~ MM

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Samson:  Parliamentary Finance reveals the date for the arrival of next year’s budget

4th November, 2022

Today, Friday, the Parliamentary Finance Committee announced the date of the arrival of the financial budget for the next year, noting that its delay was due to the submission of requests related to transferring it from items to a program budget.

Committee member Jamal Cougar told (Baghdad Today) that "the financial budget will reach Parliament at the end of this month," noting that "Minister of Finance Taif Sami is the one who prepared the budget while managing this file, and accordingly there will be no delay in completing it quickly and sending it from the government to Parliament."

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani called for the completion of the budget and sending it to the Council of Ministers to vote on it and send it to Parliament. LINK

MilitiaMan:  So it looks as though the may have done the transferring of items to a program budget. They need to have the calculations from the reconciled 2022 budget to the next 2023 budget. If  that is the case.. Exciting times are ahead.. Lets see what the CBI has to say too... ~ MM

"Embezzlement, Corruption, and Smuggling" News From Iraq : Posted by Samson at KTFA

KTFA:

Samson:  Corruption and "obscene wealth"... Parliamentary demand for the Council of Ministers to find an alternative to the currency auction

3rd November, 2022

On Thursday, MP Majid Shankali called for an alternative to the currency sale auction in the Central Bank, indicating that this would contribute to providing cash liquidity to pay salaries and budget expenses

Shankali said in a tweet on Twitter seen by "Al-Ghad Press", "The Cabinet is required to find an alternative to the currency sale auction in the Central Bank to provide cash to pay salaries and budget expenses," noting that "the auction has become a door to outrageous wealth for owners of private banks and exchange companies." Which has no business other than buying and selling dollars, except for the suspicions of corruption that are hovering around the auction  LINK

Samson:  Political analyst: Big names involved in corruption and the currency auction, the largest families

02/11/2022 23:14:16

The political analyst, Sarmad Al-Bayati, indicated that big names were involved in "corruption" and described the currency auction as "the biggest secret."

  Al-Bayati said; For the “Al-Mastra” program, broadcast by Al-Furat satellite channel this evening, that: “There are networks and holes in the pipelines for stealing oil that still exist, and the topic was raised several years ago, and whoever commits oil theft has an integrated map from which he inquires about the locations of the pipelines, and the smuggled oil money may not return to the state treasury."

Al-Bayati stressed, “The need for drones to detect oil theft operations in Basra and Kirkuk,” likening the thefts to “a corruption pandemic, which is similar to Corona, and there are two contacts, and Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani needs signatures from those who contributed to spreading corruption to control the corrupt.” 

He called for "the formation of a mini-committee of no more than 5 judges to combat corruption," adding, "there are mafias that deliberately kill everyone who comes close to their places, and there are large and high-level names that have been implicated in corruption and no one can approach them."

Al-Bayati continued, "One of the priorities of the government curriculum is the fight against corruption, and the currency auction is the biggest secret in Iraq and is not capable of it, and it does not seem that there is a realistic alternative to this auction in the administration of the state." Promise, Iraq's import of $250 million per day is "a fantasy, and we hope the Minister of Finance will address the issue."

Al-Bayati concluded, by saying, "The currency auction is a way to convert the dollar into Iraqi dinars, and the revenues that salaries need come from taxes and transactions, and the entitlement of political forces should be limited to the House of Representatives and not be imposed on the prime minister."

On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani announced the dismantling of the largest oil smuggling network in Basra Governorate. Al-Sudani said in a tweet on {Twitter}, that: “We directed the tracking of oil smuggling networks and the implementation of arrest warrants against the gangs that dared and roamed to steal the right of the Iraqis, and with God’s help, the National Security Service detachments, in cooperation with other agencies, were able to dismantle the largest oil smuggling network in Basra."

Al-Sudani stressed, "We will spare no effort and will work day and night to fight corruption in its various forms."   LINK

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Samson:  The Iraqi Ministry of Interior decides to retire officers involved in corruption

3rd November, 2022

An informed source said, on Thursday, that the Iraqi Ministry of Interior intends to retire officers accused of financial and administrative corruption cases in preparation for holding them accountable.

The source told Shafaq News Agency, that the opinion body in the Ministry of Interior discussed the retirement of a number of officers who were proven to have administrative and financial corruption in order to eliminate slack and remove the corrupt from the ministry's joints.

He explained that those officers were referred to retirement, and the Integrity Commission will initiate the procedures for holding them accountable.

This comes in conjunction with the arrest of a special force from the intelligence service yesterday, the Director of Operations Affairs, Major General Diaa Al-Moussawi, according to a judicial arrest warrant for his involvement in financial corruption cases.

The Council of Ministers voted the day before yesterday, Tuesday, to cancel all orders and job appointments issued by the previous daily caretaker government headed by Mustafa Al-Kazemi, which were issued after the date of October 8, 2021.  LINK

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Samson:  The Iraqi judiciary announces new details about the investigation into the "theft of the century"

3rd November, 2022

The Karkh Investigation Court, which specializes in integrity issues, announced on Thursday the details of the procedures taken to complete the investigations into the case of seizing tax trusts, what is known as "the theft of the century".

The media center of the Supreme Judicial Council stated in a statement today, "The court has taken additional measures against a number of other defendants from the General Tax Authority, and that investigations are continuing to determine the responsibilities of other parties that have contributed to facilitating the seizure of these funds."

He added, "Despite the complexity of the investigations into the case, the court focused on the importance of counting the sums of money that were seized in preparation for their recovery, and it formed a specialized committee to inventory the sums of money and real estate located inside and outside the country."

The statement pointed out that "in this regard, precautionary seizure has been placed on approximately (55) properties in Baghdad, and investigations are underway for the rest of the properties in other provinces."

And he added, "a seizure has been placed on financial shares belonging to the accused and his family, estimated at (167.650.000.000) one hundred and sixty-seven billion six hundred and fifty million dinars, as well as cash balances with a value of (108,000,000,000) one hundred and eight billion Iraqi dinars, in addition to shares estimated at a value of With (100,000,000) one hundred billion Iraqi dinars in one of the commercial malls in Baghdad.

It is noteworthy that last October, witnessed the disclosure of a huge embezzlement of trust funds in the General Tax Authority for an amount of 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars (two and a half billion US dollars), and according to the Integrity Commission, the case is still under investigation to reach all those involved.

Judicial arrest warrants were also issued against a number of parties to the case, most notably the director of the "Innovators" company, Noor Zuhair Al-Mudhaffar.

Yesterday, Wednesday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani called on the international community to help Iraq recover the fugitives in the tax insurance case, what is known in the media as "the theft of the century."  LINK

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Samson:  The director of a banking company was sentenced to four years in prison and a fine of nearly (3.5) billion dinars

2nd November, 2022
The Federal Integrity Commission revealed the issuance of a four-year prison sentence against the director of a banking company, and a fine of approximately (3.5) billion dinars, as a result of illegal financial transactions. 

The Commission's Investigation Department stated: "The Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court issued a judgment in the presence of four years in prison and a fine of two billion dinars and one million US dollars, against the manager of a banking company."

It belongs to the money of the former head of the Baghdad Investment Commission, and the purchase of real estate for the accused and its registration in the name of his wife, the accused fugitive.

She indicated that the court, after reviewing the evidence obtained and the evidence in the case, and the investigative papers, reached the negligence of the accused, and decided to convict him in accordance with the provisions of Article (36) of the Money Laundering Law.  LINK

Samson:  Integrity announces a reward of up to 5 million dollars

03/11/2022 08:49:41

The Integrity Commission announced a reward for informants about the financial rights of the Iraqi state, amounting to five million dollars.

The head of the commission, Alaa Al-Saadi, in his capacity as head of the Iraq Money Recovery Fund, indicated that, "among the privileges granted by law to those cooperating with the fund, they are exempted from the amounts owed by them at a rate of 25 percent and up to (5) million dollars of the recovered money as a maximum and by obtaining the approval of the Council of Ministers. The law gives informants about the financial rights of the Iraqi state a reward estimated at (10) percent of the recovered money, provided that it does not exceed (5) million dollars of that money.

He explained that "the rewards stipulated in the law allocated to informants are distributed among them in the event of their multiplicity, according to the role of each of them in recovering the money and the importance of the information that led to its recovery, taking into account the standard of time."

Al-Saadi pointed out that "the management of the Fund circulated to all ministries and agencies not associated with the Ministry of the need not to sign economic or investment agreements with countries without referring to the Fund, with the intention of involving it in those bilateral agreements to urge countries to remove obstacles that prevent the recovery of the financial rights of the Republic of Iraq, stressing response to the Fund's request.

And about the extent to which the provisions of Article (4), Clause Eleven of the Fund Law, which states (granting a reward to the informant at a rate of (10) percent, provided that it does not exceed (5) million dollars of the recovered money), Al-Saadi confirmed that “the provisions of this article were actually applied with one He was handed over his share in accordance with the concluded settlement agreement, revealing that there are many reports that are still in the process of investigation and scrutiny regarding the issue of informants’ rewards.  LINK

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Samson:  With names and details... Al-Sudani announces the dismantling of "the largest oil smuggling network in Basra"

2nd November, 2022

A document obtained by Shafak News Agency revealed, on Wednesday, the arrest of nine senior officers, including the Director General of Energy Police, Major General Ghanem Muhammad Jaafar Hassan, in connection with the case of smuggling oil derivatives.

The list also included, in addition to Major General Ghanem, 4 officers at the rank of brigadier general: the Director of the North Oil Police, the Central Oil Police, the Director of the Department of the Energy Police Directorate, and the Director of North Controls.

It also included two officers with the rank of colonel, the director of the Relations and Media Department, the Office of the Director-General of the Energy Police and the commander of the Dora Refinery Regiment, in addition to a lieutenant-colonel (director of the Central Oil Police Controls Department) and an officer with the rank of major (the Relations and Media Department accompanying the Director-General of the Energy Police).

In this context, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani announced the dismantling of the largest oil smuggling network in Basra.

Al-Sudani said in a tweet seen by Shafak News Agency, "We directed the tracking of oil smuggling networks and the implementation of arrest warrants against the gangs that dared to steal the right of Iraqis, and with God's help, the National Security Service detachments, in cooperation with other agencies, were able to dismantle the largest oil smuggling network in Basra."  He added, "We will spare no effort and will work day and night to fight corruption in its various forms."

Yesterday, Tuesday, a security source announced the arrest of the commander of the company headquarters, the Sixth Regiment, the Southern Oil Police.

The source told Shafaq News Agency, that the arrest was made on the orders of the Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, who also decided to arrest the director of the South Oil Police. He pointed out that these decisions are related to the file of the arrest of the Director of Energy Police, Major General Ghanem Al-Husseini, which is being investigated, and its details will be announced later.

And on Monday, a security source said that the Director of Energy Police, Major General Ghanem Al-Husseini, had been arrested for unknown reasons.  LINK

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Samson:  Smuggled 75 million liters per month.. Details of the overthrow of a large network of Iraqi oil theft, including officers and senior officials

2nd November, 2022

The National Security Agency revealed, on Wednesday, the details of the overthrow of a large network for theft and smuggling of crude oil in the southernmost province of Basra, while noting that among the network's members are senior officers and merchants, he explained that the smuggled quantities are estimated at 75 million liters per month.

And the agency said in a statement read by its spokesman, and it was reported to Shafaq News Agency, that "in one of the qualitative operations based on accurate intelligence information, a force of the agency in Basra Governorate managed to thwart one of the largest operations of smuggling and theft of crude oil, carried out by a network led by a merchant and includes officers of the rank of High officials and senior officials were arrested according to judicial warrants.

He added, "These networks practice theft and smuggling operations by creating (holes) in the crude oil export lines located in the Zubair oil field, and then another pipe is connected to these (holes), where it is buried and delivered to a dirt road for smuggling. The daily smuggled quantities are estimated from ( Five to (seven) tanks with a capacity of (fifty) thousand liters per breach, while the number of smuggled tanks is estimated from (forty) to (fifty) tanks at a rate of (seventy-five) million liters per month.

The agency added, "The statements of the fundamentalist suspects have been written down and investigations are still underway, and more details will be clarified if the investigation procedures are completed." A document obtained by Shafak News Agency revealed today, Wednesday, the arrest of nine senior officers, including the Director General of Energy Police, Major General Ghanem Muhammad Jaafar Hassan, on the background of the oil derivatives smuggling case.

The list also included, in addition to Major General Ghanem, 4 officers at the rank of brigadier general: the Director of the North Oil Police, the Central Oil Police, the Director of the Department of the Energy Police Directorate, and the Director of North Controls.

It also included two officers with the rank of colonel, the director of the Relations and Media Department, the Office of the Director-General of the Energy Police and the commander of the Dora Refinery Regiment, in addition to a lieutenant-colonel (director of the Central Oil Police Controls Department) and an officer with the rank of major (the Relations and Media Department accompanying the Director-General of the Energy Police).

In this context, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani announced the dismantling of the largest oil smuggling network in Basra.

Al-Sudani said in a tweet seen by Shafak News Agency, "We directed the tracking of oil smuggling networks and the implementation of arrest warrants against the gangs that dared to steal the right of Iraqis, and with God's help, the National Security Service detachments, in cooperation with other agencies, were able to dismantle the largest oil smuggling network in Basra." . He added, "We will spare no effort and will work day and night to fight corruption in its various forms."

Assuming a lower estimate for selling this smuggling network, at a price of $50 per barrel of oil, the revenue generated by the network from selling 75 million barrels per month is close to $4 billion.

More MilitiaMan Wednesday Night "Budgets" 11-2-2022

KTFA:

Determining the date of the next session of Parliament and its most important expected projects

2nd November, 2022

Representative of the State of Law coalition, Muhammad Chihod, announced, on Wednesday, the date of the next parliamentary session, indicating that Parliament is awaiting the completion of the budget in the coming days.

Chihoud said in a statement to "The Information", "Parliament will resume its session early next week to pass many important service laws, as well as to complete the booth of Muhammad Shia al-Sudani."

 He added that "harmony between the government and parliament during the current session is important and should be exploited in an ideal way to pass controversial laws and end any political conflict."

He pointed out that "the most important laws expected to arrive in the coming days are the budget," noting that "the budget will be passed smoothly due to the political harmony of the forces of the State Building Alliance."  LINK

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"In March 2022, MEES forecasted oil revenues for OPEC producers, and even if oil prices averaged $90 per barrel through the end of the year — which given the current situation is the low end — Iraq is expected to earn some $115 billion. This is $20 billion more than its previous annual record of $94 billion in 2012. Baghdad is now boasting about its record-breaking oil export revenues, some $11.44 billion for May alone. Alas, without a budget or legally binding emergency spending legislation, the monies cannot be touched — a true dilemma for the political elites in Baghdad."

https://www.mei.edu/publications/iraq-once-again-leaps-void-not-political-elites-secure-funding

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MilitiaMan:  It looks like hindsight with respect to budgets can be very telling.. The direct link above is from June 2022 .

We know at present, that there were obstacles from the past with respect to the Government and the Budget of 2022 that have been sorted and or are being sorted now.

It is clear to many and not so much to others, that the 2022 budget had issues and therefore, the Emergency Food Security Law as it is sometimes called or more appropriately the “Food Security and Development Bill,” was activated at a 12/1 ratio for operational items, as noted in the 2021 budget, 2019 FMLA, etc..

The part that has not yet to be sorted is the second part of the 2022 budget that was for the investment side of things, private sector if you will. Notice in the above paragraph they tell us why.. It is to keep out of the political ELITE's hands (corruption) until the time was right for allocations.

That time is now, as there is a full government and a "final" session to seal that is in days. Both the Government and "" Budget are to be hand in hand. Just as the Government and the CBI go hand in hand. 

It is noted that we now see a seated government and now there is talk of an effectively seamless transition to the 2023 budget. However, the above doesn't mention the 2023 budget at all, other articles are talking of the 2023 budget, especially lately.

The top article mentions a "budget" only.. No time frame to it. Thus, it is my view and a simple deduction, is that there has to be closure for the 2022 budget and it's reconciliation (audited) along with subsequent budgets back through 2003. We know that 2003 - 2021 audits were completed, thus, the 20022 budget would be next, and so on..

Well the part about the second half of 2022 is key.

There is likely no way that the CBI or GOI would openly tell you exactly what they are doing. Rules and regulations hinder that sort of thing.

Thus, the same goes for the parliament.. They will likely only get the data pertinent to the sensitive data within the budget's reconciliation until after the fact.

Therefore, the data in the 2022 budget reconciliation would only be released by the CBI prior to any release to them for sensitivity issues. As we can see the political harmony for the budget to be passed will be done smoothly they say, as it will likely be the calculations needed for the 2023 budget template they have ready to go imo already, and which is expected to be for the citizens benefit.

 The EFSL and the emphasis from Kahdimi and Al- Sadr is for the citizens.. We shall see if this holds true or even close to it, shortly.. lol

 Imo I bet it is very close to being accurate.. imo Lets see.. I like it.. ~ MM 

Some "International News" Posted by Samson at KTFA Wednesday 11-2-2022

KTFA:

Samson:  Iraqi premier to raise Iraqi dinar value

2nd November, 2022

Iraqi government with the help of the Central Bank of Iraq, do its best to increase the price of Iraqi dinar against US dollar, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraq’s new premier, said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“The interests of the needy were not taken into consideration in devaluing Iraqi currency. We tend not to repeat that in this cabinet,” he said.

Tackling endemic corruption in the country is one of the priorities of this cabinet, he said.

The Iraqi government work with other neighboring other countries to return Iraq’s “stolen money,” he added.

Faced by financial crisis caused by low oil prices amid COVID-19 pandemic, the Iraqi Central Bank decided to devalue the currency, setting the exchange rate at 1,460 dinars per dollar to the public.

Before the decision, each dollar was traded at 1,182 Iraqi dinars.

As Iraq’s market is heavily relied upon imports, the decision sparked public outrage and demonstrations, outcrying the rising prices of commodities.

The former Finance Minister Ali A. Allawi argued that the rising commodity prices was part of the global inflation, defending the devaluation decision as it had increased the state revenue amid liquidity crisis.

LINK

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Samson:  Turkey ranks first in the world in buying gold.. 95 tons in just 9 months

1st November, 2022

Central banks broke the quarterly record in gold purchases, and the Turkish Central Bank was among the largest banks to adopt purchases, according to the World Gold Council report for the third quarter of 2022

Huge rise in gold purchases

Gold purchases by global central banks rose 115% in the third quarter, as the quantity approached 400 tons, the highest quarterly purchases in the last 22 years. This amount also nearly doubled from 241 tons in 2018

Turkish Central in the lead

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey bought 95 tons of gold this year. The central bank bought 31 tons of gold in the third quarter of the year.  In the first nine months of the year, it bought 95 tons and increased its total gold reserves to 489 tons. This figure corresponds to 29% of the total reserves

Turkey's central bank chief, Kavcioglu, answered questions from journalists and economists in his presentation of the inflation report last week. One of the questions that arose was related to the increase in gold reserves. Kavcioglu also made the following assessment regarding the gold purchases

When you increase, you get angry, when you fall, you get angry… How big are our gold reserves, and what’s wrong with that? The central bank is mostly criticized for its reserves, but the reserves of the world’s central banks have fallen by more than a trillion dollars since the beginning of the year. While the reserves of the Turkish Central Bank have increased, and gold has a share in that

Kavci added, “Also, the increase in our gold reserves is not a huge number, but we have taken encouraging decisions to store gold. As a result, the reserves of the Turkish Central Bank are increasing. There is no point in linking the matter to anything.” This is a process that started much earlier, as a result of these decisions very important, our gold reserves have reached an important point today. We are trying to continue these policies with additional actions and contributions

Larger reserves

The Governor of the Central Bank of Turkey also said, “Our gold reserves will increase even more. Turkey has a very important potential in terms of gold. Therefore, as the central bank, we are working with other institutions and the Treasury to contribute to supporting the economy. We will achieve good results  LINK

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Samson:  The Russian Foreign Ministry awards the Iraqi ambassador the Interaction Medal for his prominent role in strengthening and strengthening relations between the two countries

2nd November, 2022

The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in Moscow, Ambassador Abdul Rahman Hamid Al-Husseini, met with the Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and North Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, on the occasion of the end of his duties as the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Russian Federation.

A Foreign Ministry statement stated that during the meeting, a set of issues related to the further development of traditional friendly relations between Russia and Iraq were discussed, and the firm position of Moscow and Baghdad in maintaining an active political dialogue on Middle Eastern issues and international issues of common interest was also emphasized.

In the end, Mikhail Bogdanov awarded Ambassador Abd al-Rahman al-Husseini the "Interaction" medal, in recognition of his great contribution to strengthening Russian-Iraqi relations.  LINK

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Samson:  The collapse of the Iranian currency to a record level

2nd November, 2022

The price of the dollar in the open market increased, on Wednesday, by 500 tomans compared to Tuesday, to reach more than 34,300 tomans.

According to the "Iran International" website, "After the dollar's price hit another record, Iranians lined up in long queues in front of exchange offices in a number of cities, including Tehran and Mashhad, to buy dollars."

The Iranian currency market witnessed turmoil over the past days, in conjunction with the continuation of demonstrations in Iranian cities, and the insistence of the Western authorities to stop negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement.

On Tuesday, the price of the dollar in the Tehran open market reached a new historical record, exceeding the number 33,500 tomans. The upward trend of the dollar price in recent days has been such that its price has seen a big difference in the past 10 days.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Iran announced that the official rate for the dollar is 4200 tomans. According to the official reports of the Central Bank, the buying and selling of dollars in the market also recorded the highest level in the past month, reaching more than 18 million dollars on Monday.

The turmoil in the dollar market came as news was published on Sunday that more than 3,650 billion tomans had been withdrawn from the Tehran Stock Exchange in the previous ten days.

It is noteworthy that during the past three months, the Tehran Stock Exchange lost a quarter of its value, and its market value decreased from 100 thousand billion and 6 million tomans to 600 thousand billion and 4 million tomans.

On the other hand, the withdrawal of more than 3,650 billion tomans comes from the funds of natural persons, while government economic officials and market managers expected a positive reaction from real shareholders to the 10-point support package announced by the government on Saturday.  LINK

Samson:  Iran imposes sanctions on 14 US entities and individuals

1st November, 2022

The Iranian Foreign Ministry imposed sanctions on 14 US individuals and entities for their violations of human rights, incitement, support for terrorist practices, and promotion of violence in Iran.

In a statement, the ministry stated that it had imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and 4 entities, including the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the US National Guard, in implementation of the Law (Confronting Violation of Human Rights and Terrorist Practices of the United States of America in the region).

She stressed that the sanctions were taken due to committing activities against human rights, interfering in Iran's internal affairs, promoting violence and chaos in Iran, inciting and encouraging terrorist practices, obstructing the country's efforts and activities in combating terrorism, and finally increasing pressure on the Iranian people, which is one of the sources of economic terrorism. 

She indicated that the sanctions will include preventing the issuance of non-entry into Iranian territory, freezing their bank accounts in the financial and banking system, and freezing funds and assets within the framework of the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran.   LINK

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Samson:  Dubai to host the Iraq British Business Council conference this month

01/11/2022 18:13:30

 The conference of the Iraqi-British Business Council (IBBC) will be launched in Dubai this month, under the auspices of the President of the Council, Baroness Emma Nicholson, under the slogan (Iraq and identifying business opportunities for the private sector).

  Director of the Iraqi British Business Council IBBC Christoph Michaels said in a press statement that the conference will bring together official government figures from Iraq, the UAE and the United Kingdom, in the presence of the Iraqi ambassador to the UAE and the UK ambassador to Iraq, in addition to representatives from major companies operating in those countries and other international companies.

Michaels confirmed the participation and presence of the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq as a key speaker in this conference, in addition to the President of the Trade Bank of Iraq TBI. He added, that the conference sessions will cover the sectors of energy, industry, finance, water resources and the environment.

And Michelis pointed out that the main objective of the conference is to advance the reality of the private sector in Iraq to build an economy capable of providing job opportunities for all Iraqis away from the public sector.  LINK

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Samson:  A manager at Iraqi Airways was caught red-handed with a $40,000 bribe

2nd November, 2022

The Federal Integrity Commission announced today, Wednesday, the implementation of an arrest warrant against an airline director who requested a bribe from a private airline of $40,000.

In a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, the Integrity Commission said that its staff managed to arrest an employee of the Iraqi Airways company red-handed; In return for granting one of the companies approval for the flight license, an arrest warrant was executed against the director of the commercial department of the company.

The statement quoted the commission’s investigations department, that the commission’s investigation directorate in Baghdad had set up a team to investigate information contained in a complaint it received from an employee of one of the companies contracting with Iraqi airlines to contract “Garter” aircraft lease contracts from the airline company. For the purpose of transporting the passengers of the Chinese company (Maywei) to and from Iraq, stating that the director of the commercial department and a reservation employee at one of the airlines’ offices in Baghdad bargained with him and requested a sum of money; In exchange for obtaining "approval to fly".

The department continued, explaining that the team investigated this information and communicated with the complainant; In order to catch the accused in flagrante delicto, as he set up a tight ambush for the accused after obtaining a judicial note to conduct a search and arrest them, and they moved to the Al-Arasat area in Karrada, where an agreement was reached between the complainant and the complainant, and as soon as the detention officer received the bribe amount in Baghdad, the Commission's Investigation Directorate team was able to who caught him in flagrante delicto.

She added that the preliminary investigations, which were conducted by the team after implementing the operation that took place in accordance with the provisions of Resolution (160 of 1983), showed that the accused works as a reservation employee in the Adhamiya office of Iraqi Airways, and that it was agreed between the director of the commercial department and the complainant to split the bribe amount on He formed two payments, the first amounting to (40) thousand dollars, the amount of which was seized in the process, and the second payment of (30) thousand dollars, and based on what he said, an arrest warrant was issued against the second accused in the case, the director of the commercial department at Iraqi Airways, confirming that its staff were able to carry out The arrest warrant issued against him at Baghdad International Airport.

It noted the organization of two fundamentalist minutes; In order to present them, accompanied by the accused, and the seized documents, including the amount of the bribe, and video footage of the agreement concluded between the two parties (the complainant and the complainant), and the phone of the first accused, to the competent investigative judge; to take appropriate legal measures.  LINK

MilitiaMan: "Perfect Storm For An RI" Wednesday PM 11-2-2022

KTFA:

Clare:  Al-Sudani resolves the position on the re-change of the dollar exchange rate and calls the term “corruption pandemic”

01/11/2022 

The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, has identified the Central Bank of Iraq as the only concerned party in changing or restoring the dollar exchange rate.

Al-Sudani said in his first press conference after forming the government and gaining the confidence of the House of Representatives: “The central bank is the only responsible party for changing the dollar exchange, and as an executive authority we are committed to this aspect and we support the independence of the bank and the government is committed to implementing the law.”
However, he added: "But the decision to change the exchange rate in the past was not accompanied by measures to protect the poor classes."

Regarding the fight against corruption, the Prime Minister launched the term "corruption pandemic", referring to it as a "serious threat to the Iraqi state."

And he indicated that "the danger of corruption lies in planning for it without fear of deterrence," noting that "the procedures for recovering the stolen amounts from the tax trusts are continuing and are being followed up daily."

Al-Sudani added, "Without real measures, anti-corruption slogans will be a mere absurdity," stressing that "the recovery of the looted funds will be a key focus in relations with the countries of the world, and we will not remain silent about the stolen and looted money smuggled abroad in countries known to us and known corrupt as well."

The Prime Minister warned against "any minister condoning corruption files, as he will be under the law, and the ministers will be evaluated on this basis, and we will adopt frankness and openness with the people."

Al-Sudani stressed the government’s vision in the next stage, writing and approving the ministerial curriculum within the Council of Ministers within two weeks from now, and our priorities are to combat poverty, unemployment and corruption, carry out economic reforms and provide services.

He pointed out, "I directed the Ministry of Commerce to enhance our strategic storage of basic food supplies."

He announced that "the government is going to activate and implement the health insurance law, and there are offers from foreign companies to jointly operate and invest in government hospitals," explaining that "implementing the health insurance law will guarantee the advancement of the health sector."

He stressed, "removing the security establishment from any political investment and the security services concerned with preserving the prestige of the state."

Al-Sudani pointed out that he "emphasized to friends and international partners the sovereignty and interest of Iraq."

He explained that "the cabinet's schedule will focus on the needs of the people, not fillers," noting that "the caretaker government does not have the authority to issue appointment orders and agreements."

He added that "the abolition of the decisions to appoint heads of agencies and advisers is not within the calculations of a policy or the exclusion of certain parties, but in implementation of the decision of the Federal Court, which is applicable and implementation," stressing that "the approach of this government's work will be towards implementing the law and judicial decisions."

He announced, "forming an engineering effort to provide urgent services, and we will go to the field to implement service projects in the governorates, and there will be a clear difference in services."

The Prime Minister stressed that "the agricultural plan for the winter season is late, and the recommendations of the committee concerned with preparing the winter agricultural plan have been approved, and it will be up to 5.5 million dunams," announcing "the approval of recommendations to compensate farmers affected by not planting the yam crop, up to 120 billion dinars."

Al-Sudani said: "We are working on studying the file of procedures and contracts with Resolution 315 in an accurate and personal manner, and we asked the Ministry of Finance to check the numbers of contracts and procedures and make recommendations."

He promised "the law to protect the product is a sacred matter and directive to support national products," noting that "burning associated gas causes great financial waste, and we have a vision to invest associated gas."

And on the financial budget for 2023, the Prime Minister announced that he "directed all ministries today to prepare the 2023 budget and determine its priorities, as we are keen to present the budget as soon as possible."

Regarding the date of holding early parliamentary elections, Al-Sudani explained that "this decision concerns the House of Representatives and the government is ready to meet the requirements for holding them," pointing out that "the provincial elections will be held no later than October 2023."

Al-Sudani affirmed that his government "will continue with Iraq's mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and it is in Iraq's interest to play this role."

And regarding the presence of the international coalition forces in the country between the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, “the agreement with the political forces provided for authorizing and authorizing the prime minister to conduct a dialogue with the international coalition and through the relevant ministries, and it would be professional to determine the need for the international coalition as numbers with advisers, tasks and advice, and to exchange information and in light of that and what would result It is a government decision that all political parties will abide by, and we will proceed to complete this dialogue according to what is planned.”  LINK

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MilitiaMan:  Look at the timing of this one today.. The subject of the exchange rate change has been in the news so much the new PM has to come out and set the record straight. The Central Bank of Iraq is the only one concerned with the exchange rate.

The Government has other concerns noted in Article 110 of the Constitution. One is the issuance of currency, among many others. The PM is stating that the Government is committed to the aspect of the independence of the Central Bank and that the government will implement the law on the matter. It takes two to tango independently. No touchy, touchy.. lol..

One of the prerogatives of the Government is Fiscal and Customs Policy, administering a Central Bank, Issuing Currency, formulating foreign sovereign economic and trade policy and regulating, standards, weights and measures.

So, with the World Bank, IMF, UN, USA, etc, giving the green light of support we could say that the time is now. They have a seated and assigned cabinet of ministers today. One the president suggests is for 4 years. That sounds like security and stability on that front.

The CBI has nothing but good reserves, gold reserves, high oil pricing, taxes and tariffs are electronic as is more and more of the Government, inflation under control and the green light..

Looks like a perfect storm for an RI.. lol imo.. ~ MM

MilitiaMan, Petra and Samson "News and Views" 11-1-2022

KTFA:

President of the Republic: There is no decision to hold early elections in Iraq... and the political crisis is over

1st November, 2022

The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Rashid, confirmed that: "There is no decision to hold early parliamentary elections in Iraq... and the political crisis is over."

He said in a televised statement: "We support a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and we will focus on that at the Algeria summit, just as we reject violations in the Palestinian territories."
And the President of the Republic continued: "We continue our mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the meetings continue, but the results are in their hands."    LINK

MilitiaMan:  There is an announcement. The political crisis is over. .Enough said.. Lets hope this lands on the CBIs desk today.. lol ~ MM

MilitiaMan:  We can see that there is a push to complete the GOI and to implement reforms. Like what we see in the news is today. Much support for the private sector to get stimulated and on the road to re construction.. All is looking very good the GOV done, the Kurds are soundingly like there are agreements to sort Article 140, etc.. What not to like about all of the good news.. imo.. Nothing is not to like.. lol ~ MM

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Samson:  The World Bank: The policy of changing the dollar exchange rate is the prerogative of the Iraqi government 

31st October, 2022

Monday, the World Bank confirmed that the policy of changing the dollar exchange rate is one of the prerogatives of the Iraqi government.

The World Bank said in a statement that it was followed by (Al-Oula News), that "the policy of changing the dollar exchange rate is one of the prerogatives of the Iraqi government."  LINK

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MilitiaMan:  The World Bank looks to be giving the green light on the policy of changing the dollar exchange rate. It is the Iraqi Governments prerogative.. The Article 110 of the constitution talks about this. No doubt this is giving the GOI support to get on with reforms..

Definition of prerogative

1a : an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege: such as. (1) : one belonging to an office or an official body. (2) : one belonging to a person, group, or class of individuals.

Article 110

The federal government shall have exclusive authorities in the following matters:

First.Formulating foreign policy and diplomatic representation; negotiating, signing,
and ratifying international treaties and agreements; negotiating, signing, and
ratifying debt policies and formulating foreign sovereign economic and trade
policy.

Second. Formulating and executing national security policy, including establishing and
managing armed forces to secure the protection and guarantee the security of
Iraq's borders and to defend Iraq.

Third. Formulating fiscal and customs policy; issuing currency; regulating commercial
policy across regional and governorate boundaries in Iraq; drawing up the
national budget of the State; formulating monetary policy; and establishing and
administering a central bank.

Fourth. Regulating standards, weights, and measures.

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Samson:  This is the controller.. Economic: Changing the dollar exchange rate is very possible

1st November, 2022

The economic expert, Nabil Al-Marsoumi, confirmed, on Tuesday, that the possibility of changing the exchange rate of the dollar is a possibility, in light of the policy control of the wheel of the economy in Iraq.

Al-Marsoumi said in a Facebook post seen by "The Information" that "reducing the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar is very possible for political reasons, to gain the approval of some people, or to fulfill previous promises."

He added, that the decision to reduce may be taken "even if the decision has significant economic repercussions or costs."

He pointed out that "it is difficult to expect the new price of the dollar even if the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank denied the possibility of adjusting the exchange rate because politics in Iraq is leading the economy."  LINK

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MilitiaMan:  It looks like there is still a push to counter the article about that there is not a move to adjust the exchange rate. We can see the hand hold by the World Bank today saying the GOI has the prerogative .. The private sector is not going to get up and running without an adjustment to the rate change.. imo They know it as we do, far to much work on the electronic side of things is in place now... imo ! MM

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Samson:  Washington sets a condition to increase opportunities for private sector growth in Iraq

1st November, 2022

On Tuesday, the United States of America announced a condition to increase opportunities for the growth of the private sector in Iraq.

And the US ambassador to Baghdad, Alina Ruminsky, said in a tweet via Twitter, which was followed by / Mawazine News /, that she "spoke today with members of the United States in the Business Council for International Understanding and told them that economic opportunities exist in Iraq."

She added, "The potential for private sector growth will increase if the new government takes measures to build a more stable, secure and sovereign Iraq."   LINK

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MilitiaMan:  World Bank, UN, USA, etc.. All in support of the private sector.. Even the Parliament has the renaissance measures on the table. They need to get Industry up and running to create jobs.. Well, get the reforms done and that will stimulate the private sector..... Show time is now.. imo ~ MM 

Samson:  Expectations of an unprecedented budget for Iraq in 2023

10/31/2022 20:52:39

  The former member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Ahmed Al-Saffar, expected Monday, an unprecedented budget for Iraq in 2023.

  Al-Saffar told Al-Furat News that: "The federal budget, according to the Financial Management Law, has principles, rules and a life cycle that starts from the smallest units of public spending, and usually the government starts preparing it in early June and ends in mid-October and then sends it to the Finance Committee, which studies it for a period of time." Two or three months, then it becomes law."

He added, "There is no general budget that ends within a week or a month, especially the program of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani aims to solve the problems that have existed for 18 years, the most important of which is fighting corruption."

Al-Saffar continued, "For the first time in the history of Iraq, there will be a financial abundance of up to 80 billion dollars as a result of the rise in oil prices for 2022, and with oil revenues for the year 2023 estimated at 120 billion dollars, the total will be approximately 200 billion dollars."

Al-Saffar added, "The Minister of Finance has experience in preparing the budget, and the government can prepare a new budget by reconsidering the mechanism of schedules, returning to spending units, and starting with the smallest spending unit, leading to the ministries' budget."

Monday, the Ministry of Finance announced the actual start of preparing the budget law for the year 2023.  LINK

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MilitiaMan:  The 2003 - 2022 budget have to be sorted before the 2023. They have to have them all completed and audited.. Hence the talk of the oil and Gas Law within 2022.. They only need amendments to that law for it to be sorted.. imo.. It is an old law and not a new one. So, if she has started the 2023 and it is virtually a template done already, then it should flow smoothly especially with the surpluses they are talking about to the tune of 200 billion dollars. A good sign.. ~ MM

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Saleh Al-Hamashi : Next year's budget may exceed 170 trillion dinars

1st November, 2022
The economic expert, Saleh Al-Hamashi, confirmed that next year's budget may exceed 170 trillion dinars.
He told the National Iraqi News Agency : The most important thing that the Sudanese government is doing is passing the next year's budget because it represents the government's economic plan for a whole year.
Al-Hamashi added: Without a budget, the Prime Minister cannot implement his government program, and he can take advantage of the financial abundance to prepare a budget that may exceed 170 trillion dinars to implement his government program.

 He explained that this figure is able to achieve this if it is able to reduce corruption, especially since the doors of corruption in the Iraqi state have become clear and frank and easy to detect if there is the will and seriousness in fighting corruption.

The Minister of Finance, Taif Sami, confirmed earlier that one of the government's most important priorities is to present and approve the draft budget. She stressed, during a meeting of officials in the ministry, "the importance of cooperation in the spirit of one team, and to complete the process of reforms necessary for the financial policy and to provide the requirements for comprehensive development of the national economy, especially in light of the current economic conditions," noting that "one of the most important priorities of the new government and the ministry is to present the draft federal budget for the year 2023 and its approval.”    LINK

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MilitiaMan:  Lets say the government acts on Article 110 of the constitution and if they drops 3 zeros from the exchange rate the ratio becomes very interesting. It gets much closer to a 1:1 ratio than it is now be sure. I could be off, but, it sure looks interesting. imo ~ MM

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Economist: The Sudanese government will stop all lawsuits against the oil companies in Kurdistan LINK

MilitiaMan:  Another interesting bit about the oil and gas law.. Stopping law suits and not opening new contracts.. I suspect there is more to the story. But, it is something of interest at this stage in time. Looks like deals are bein cut to get the show on the road.. imo ~ MM

Petra:   Couldn't agree more MM.  From a grander perspective one is curious about all the subterfuge going on the last 3-4 days.  How many times does a country have to "defend" in one aspect the fact they are "not" going to change the exchange rate....and then, we see articles coming out from within Iraq that this is the very move that needs to be made. 

Couple that with the input from the WB/IMF and other agencies telling the country to move forward and open themselves up for partnership, investment, and international business.  It doesn't get clearer when one of your largest trading partners (Jordan) opens up a bank down the street.  Why?  And why now? 

Why not have articles on how they are going to sell their wheat to other countries, or importing cars, or any other subject.  No, they keep telling us what they are "NOT" going to do.  Sorry, one or two I would take you seriously...but 12?  I don't buy it, nor does the Iraqi people.

The impact of so much "not going to happen" tells a different defensive posture.  Case in point, anybody hear from the French lately?  TOTAL is still on as far as I know.  Why haven't they come back and thrown a few sandls?  Because...THEY KNOW!!!

Oh, and let's not forget the "INTERNATIONAL BAGHDAD FAIR" going on as I type this.  What are the topics to be discussed.  They all remember the Kuwait Conference of 2018 where "BILLIONS" were committed and "$0.000000" was received.  Why?  Because Iraq was not ready to make the changes necessary to be in the international arena. 

Do they "dare" repeat that scenario?  I think not.  IMO, and all of this is IMO, there are things going on we are not privy to but "Not" changing the rate is not one of them!!! 

 Nothing works at the current rate.  The future is locked in Iraq...until....it is unlocked!!

OK CBI, you have the key...do your thing!!!   ALL IMO  PETRA

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Samson:  Parliamentary Finance sets the date for receiving the 2023 budget

1st November, 2022

The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed, on Tuesday, that the 2023 budget is almost completed by the specialized team at the Ministry of Finance, as some amendments will be made to it before sending it to the House of Representatives. It is likely that the Council of Ministers will raise the budget to Parliament in the middle of this month.

Member of the committee, MP Jamal Kougar, said in a statement to "Al-Maalouma", that "the team that prepared the budget law at the Ministry of Finance is today in the custody of the new ministry after the formation of the new government," noting that "the budget preparation team will submit it to the Council of Ministers within days." 

 He added, "The Council of Ministers will certainly make some amendments to the draft budget law, but it will push them to the House of Representatives in the middle of this month in order to approve the law." 

Cougar pointed out that "the House of Representatives is firmly determined to pass the budget within a month, or at most, a month and a half." Concerning the features of the budget, Cougar stressed that "the investment budget will rise significantly because the government program is an investment service program and that all things are ready due to the presence of financial abundance and the continued rise in oil prices."    LINK

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MilitiaMan:  The government is done now from the looks of it. They assigned the last to ministries.. The budget for 2023 is well under way. Now we watch how they interlink the EFSL / 2022 budget to this all.. They have to reconcile all budgets going back to 2003. We know they have through 2003-2021. There is not going to be an exclsuion to the 2022. There is a reason the 2022 is not being talked about. Likely we can safely presume it is because there is a calculation that is required to facilitate the 2023 budget.. imo.. ~ MM

Sirwan Barzani praises the curriculum of the Sudanese government: It will be good if it applies Article 140   LINK

MilitiaMan:  Another positive sign there is progress and the importance now to get Article 140 applied. imo ~ MM

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Samson:  In partnership with the Association of Banks and America.. Launching a project to activate lending programs in Iraq

1st November, 2022

The Department of Non-Governmental Organizations, in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, announced on Tuesday the launch of a project to activate lending programs in Iraq, in partnership between the Association of Iraqi Banks and the US Agency for International Development.

This came during a conference inaugurated by the Governor of the Central Bank, Mustafa Ghaleb Mikheeb, in which he affirmed his constant endeavor in order to remove obstacles to borrowers seeking to launch their development projects in Iraqi society.

The Director General of the Non-Governmental Organizations Department, Ashraf Al-Dahan, said that this project aims to build a strong sector for emerging and entrepreneurial businesses that contribute to rebuilding the economic fabric of Iraq and creating sustainable job opportunities.

For his part, the director of a financing platform in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, Shamil Abdel Bari, gave an explanation of the electronic finance program in many sectors of industry, agriculture, craft trade, clean energy, and housing, stressing the General Secretariat’s endeavor to find solutions to the obstacles to the project, which is implemented by staff. Iraqi.  LINK

MilitiaMan:  More and more evidence of the push to go international is on. Electronic finance is transparent and with little allowance or tolerance for corruption. Look the amount of sectors are read to go.. Looks very good.. imo ~ MM

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Samson:  Deputy Ali Al-Mashkoor: There is a ready-made version of the budget that needs amendments only

31st October, 2022

Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee, Ali Al-Mashkoor, announced that there is a ready-made copy of the budget and it only needs amendments.

Al-Mashkour said in a televised statement: "The Parliamentary Oil Committee is facing a difficult test, which is the issuance of the oil and gas law, noting that wasted gas revenues could reach 60 billion dollars."

He continued: "The misplaced loss of financial abundance is a loss of a great opportunity for reform, adding that it is not easy to change the exchange rate again."     LINK

MilitiaMan:  There is a ready-made copy of the 2022 budget I suspect. The oil and gas law is not a new law. If not mistaken the EFSL has this covered for and in the year 2022. It only needs amendments not new law(s).  Timing is of the essence it appears as there will be great loss. Regardless of easy or not the private sector and the citizens want the exchange rate to be an international one. Let not forget the BUNA had an advanced virtual meeting on where they are and that they are ready for electronic cross border clearing and payments, all to be done within the second half of 2022.  Lets see how this day unfolds.. imo ~ MM

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Samson:  Bank of Jordan opens its first branch in Iraq

1st November, 2022

Bank of Jordan announced the launch of its operations in Iraq with the opening of its first branch in Baghdad, after fulfilling all conditions and procedures related to launching its business in the Iraqi market.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Jordan, Shaker Fakhoury, told Shafaq News, "The decision to branch out in Iraq comes to enhance our regional presence and to translate the bank's strategy that it has adopted to expand its business in the countries of the region, whose markets are witnessing remarkable growth and promising opportunities, which will positively reflect on the services provided to our current and future customers." 

He added, "We also seek to develop our banking system, a translation of the royal visions to increase investment, coordination and economic cooperation between the two countries, and to consolidate the strong economic and historical relations with Iraq."

Fakhoury added: We are launching today in Iraq to translate the Bank of Jordan’s long-standing career, which extends for more than 60 years in banking and financial work, and in a manner that reflects the success in implementing the bank’s aspiring vision to become the leading bank in the Arab region, and to expand its branch network to include the Iraqi market, which is one of the most important markets in the region. 

He also indicated that the bank is currently working on preparing its first branch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after recently obtaining a license to practice banking business in Saudi Arabia, stressing the bank's continued orientation for regional expansion towards countries whose markets are witnessing growth and development at the economic and investment levels.

Fakhoury appreciated the efforts of the Central Bank of Iraq in facilitating the opening of the Bank of Jordan branch in the capital, Baghdad. He also thanked the Central Bank of Jordan for their trust and permanent support for the bank to implement its plans for branching and external expansion.

He pointed out that this step reflects Bank of Jordan's commitment to designing its branch network in a way that enables it to achieve its vision and strategic directions and serve its broad customer base through its traditional channels, in addition to providing electronic and digital services to all its customers. 

Pointing out that Jawdat Jawdat was appointed CEO of the Bank in Iraq, who has a long and extensive experience of more than twenty-seven years in banking. He held a number of important positions during his work in major local, regional and international banking institutions.  LINK

MilitiaMan:  Jordan opening  a bank branch is likely for that they know there is going to be massive trade. Opportunities will abound like ever before in the 60 years they have been doing business. Iraq will be a central hub and Jordan would know that and is acting on that fact now.. A good thing. ` IMO ~ MM

Some "Tuesday News" Posted by Samson at KTFA 11-1-2022

KTFA:

Samson:  The World Bank: The policy of changing the dollar exchange rate is the prerogative of the Iraqi government 

31st October, 2022

Monday, the World Bank confirmed that the policy of changing the dollar exchange rate is one of the prerogatives of the Iraqi government.

The World Bank said in a statement that it was followed by (Al-Oula News), that "the policy of changing the dollar exchange rate is one of the prerogatives of the Iraqi government."  LINK

Samson:  Abu Dhabi Exports signs a financing agreement with the National Bank of Iraq

1st November, 2022

The Abu Dhabi Export Office, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, signed a financing agreement with the National Bank of Iraq, owned by Capital Bank, to open a credit line of 36.7 million dirhams (10 million US dollars), to develop economic and trade cooperation between the UAE and Iraq, and encourage Emirati companies to export their goods and services to the markets. and strengthening its presence in the Iraqi market in particular.

Under the agreement, the Abu Dhabi Export Office will open a credit line to the National Bank of Iraq to re-lend it to buyers and importers of Iraqi investors to purchase goods and services from an Emirati exporter.

This agreement reflects the office's keenness to support the directions of the UAE government to promote the policy of economic diversification and promote trade relations with brotherly and friendly countries, which benefit both countries and contribute to advancing sustainable economic growth.

The financing agreement was signed via video call, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Export Office, Khalil Fadel Al-Mansoori, and from the Iraqi side, the delegated director of the National Bank of Iraq, Ayman Abu Dhaim, in the presence of the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Abu Dhabi Export Office, Muhammad Saif Al-Suwaidi, and a number of officials from sides.

Strategic partnerships

Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi said on the occasion: "This agreement comes within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Export Office's efforts to strengthen its strategic partnerships with regional and international banking institutions, in order to provide new credit lines to motivate foreign buyers to import goods and services of Emirati origin, in addition to achieving common interests." Enhancing the competitiveness of national exports and advancing the sustainable economic growth of the two countries.

For his part, Ayman Abu Dhaim said: "This agreement represents an important step for the development of joint cooperation relations between the UAE and Iraq in various economic and trade fields, as it contributes to providing appropriate funding to support the movement of trade exchange and stimulate economic growth for the two countries."   LINK

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Samson:  The Central Bank: Efforts to lead a national financial system that meets the requirements of the public

31st October, 2022

Today, Monday, Central Bank Governor Mustafa Ghaleb confirmed that there are efforts to lead a national banking and financial system capable of meeting the public's requirements in various aspects.

The Governor of the Central Bank, Mustafa Ghaleb, said in a speech during the conference of the lending program launched by the Association of Banks in cooperation with the Central Bank and the US Agency for Development, which was followed by (Al-Oula News), that “the work mechanisms accompanying the tasks of granting loans in Iraq are not without difficulties, as they are related to the nature of consideration of funds. and their functions and the public’s expectations in dealing with them,”

He said, noting that “some people believe that all lending operations are a type of grant that does not require their refund, which requires banks to double the guarantee procedures that guarantee the recovery of those loans, and this is a problem followed by routine arrangements that some see as unimportant.” necessary while the bank considers it necessary to recover the funds.”

He added: “In our initiative that we launched, and the total of its funds amounted to about 18 trillion dinars, we tried to set requirements that guarantee the safety of the lending process from the outset and then guarantee the process of recovering the funds,” noting that “facilitating assets to funds and supports the strategy of financial inclusion and the cooperation of all parties to the lending and borrowing process, They represent basic pillars for development to remain with its angles related to money and ease of access.”

And he indicated, "The Central Bank is trying hard with the Association of Iraqi Private Banks and supporting international institutions, including the US Agency for Development and other national institutions, to lead a national banking and financial system capable of meeting the public's requirements in various aspects."  LINK

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Samson:  Justice: We will play the role of the ministry by recovering the money looted outside Iraq

30th October, 2022

Sunday, Minister of Justice Khaled Shwani announced the activation of the ministry's role in recovering money looted outside Iraq

Shwani said in a statement received by Al-Ghad Press, a copy of it, that "serving the Iraqi citizen is one of our most important priorities, and the best services must be provided smoothly and in the fastest time, and work to reduce administrative bureaucracy by organizing work, distributing tasks and granting broad powers to administrative officials for the purpose of accomplishing their tasks." With close control over their work, rewarding those who work hard, and taking legal measures against those who fail to perform their duty

Shwani pointed out that "the development of an integrated plan to be a road map for the next stage and to carry out the necessary reforms in order to advance the reality of work in all judicial departments and keep pace with development in developed countries and in the interest of the Iraqi citizen

He pointed out that "the Ministry of Justice is the one who codifies laws and regulates administrative matters and legal actions between the citizen and state institutions," noting that "the Ministry is Iraq's lawyer before the international community through pleading in international courts that affect the rights of the Iraqi state

He stressed, "activating the ministry's role in recovering looted funds outside Iraq through coordination with the Integrity Commission and other oversight departments," noting that "the ministry, with all its employees from the minister to the lowest ranks of the job grade, must be at the service of the citizen

LINK

Samson:  The arrest of senior Iraqi police officers involved in smuggling fuel

1st November, 2022

Iraqi media sources said today, Tuesday, that security forces have arrested the commander of the Energy Police in Iraq, Major General Ghanem Al-Husseini, for his involvement in fuel smuggling.

 The sources pointed out that Iraqi security forces arrested last night a network involved in fuel smuggling in Basra, including the Director General of Energy Police in the Ministry of Interior, Major General Ghanem al-Husseini, Director of Energy Police in Basra Governorate, and a number of officers in the Energy Police Brigades.   LINK

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Samson: Al-Sudani: The need to take exceptional and unconventional measures to combat corruption

01/11/2022 12:08:08

Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani stressed the need to take exceptional and unconventional measures in combating corruption and prosecuting its perpetrators, stressing the importance of giving the file of recovering looted funds the utmost importance.

The Sudanese, during his visit to the commission’s headquarters and meeting with the commission’s president, his deputy, the advanced cadre and a few of its employees, pledged that “the first criteria in his government’s dealings with the governments of countries is the extent of its cooperation with Iraq in recovering convicts and smuggled funds, and the diplomatic effort will be consistent with the procedures of the Integrity Commission; to enable Iraq From recovering his smuggled money, urging to start opening the most important files in terms of the volume of embezzled or wasted funds, or those related to stopping important projects that by completing the citizen touch the best services provided to him. 

He called for "the formation of a supportive team for the Integrity Commission that takes the legal capacity, and does not conflict with the authority's powers and tasks entrusted to it in accordance with its effective law No. (30 of 2011) as amended, expressing his readiness to provide all support to the Commission, whether at the level of executive procedures or legislative interventions to enact laws to corruption, which contribute to closing the outlets of this dangerous scourge, pointing to the work to improve Iraq’s peace in the international corruption perception index.” 

He continued, "We are now in a fateful battle against corruption, and just as we fought ISIS and won it with concerted efforts, we seek to work with the same strength and determination in our battle against corruption that hinders investment, services and development projects, stressing the determination to fight corruption and the absence of red lines in front of any corruption file linked to a political party." Or any person, explaining that he will be objective, professional and honest in handling and dealing with these files.

The Prime Minister indicated that “the phenomenon of corruption is evolving and mutating as is the case with the Corona virus, calling for the development of methods of dealing with it and addressing it and limiting its high value and its effects on the economy, investment and providing services to citizens, and calling for the development of methods of investigation and investigation of taxpayers’ funds to pursue the inflation of funds and illegitimate gain, and not to the traditional methods of activating the principle of "where did you get this from" were satisfied

And he concluded his speech by urging the provision of preventive measures and the cultivation of a culture of integrity, ethics and chastity of the hand, preserving public money, and preventing employees from being involved in violations or corruption crimes.

For his part, the head of the commission, Judge (Alaa Jawad Al-Saadi) reviewed some of the obstacles that may hinder the commission’s work in its tireless quest to combat corruption and beatings at the hands of the corrupt, calling for legislative intervention to fill the void created by the decision to abolish the system of public inspectors and the violations that have become far from oversight and accountability bodies, describing state institutions in the absence of that system as being closer to a black box in which it is not known what is going on in it.

Judge Al-Saadi referred to the achievements in the field of recovering smuggled funds during the past months, pointing out that this file is subject to some difficulties. Because of some legal aspects, such as the difference in the legal system of countries and the issue of dual nationality, stressing that some countries refrain from cooperating with Iraq in the field of recovering its money, and we need to compel government agencies not to conclude any contract or facilitate investment operations inside Iraq with the governments of countries that refrain from cooperating in Recover the convicts and the smuggled money.

The deputy head of the commission (Mazhar Turki Abed) suggested a legislative intervention to amend some laws; To give the commission some judicial powers, including: the right to indict, issue summons, arrest and prevent travel, pointing out that the injunctive investigation aspect cannot alone eliminate corruption in light of the complexity of this dangerous system.

The most important of these is taking preventive measures to prevent corruption, such as e-government and service governance, according to which the phenomenon of auditors’ contact with department employees, especially service ones, ends.  LINK

Monday Night KTFA CC with Frank26 "The Satchel" 10-31-2022

KTFA

KTFA Monday Night CC

Frank26:  10-31-22…….THE SATCHEL

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Petra, MilitiaMan and Eddie in Iraq

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVDtDK9v7M